Dermatologists tend to be like that. They make their big money off of cosmetic procedures, and not from sick people with insurance. Insurance payments are so low that doctors don't want to see people with insurance preferring to rake in big cash. They try to make it difficult to see them and will make a patient with insurance wait months for an appointment while someone paying cash gets in n a couple days.

I always say..............It's not the patients who are sick..........It's the doctors.

So true.

This is for a skin cancer check.
I would hint to them that since you have been a patient there before, that if they can't schedule an appointment without a referral, that you will go elsewhere...hoping that might be a possibility.

Have you had skin cancer before or a history of cancer?

BF had it several years ago, and then quit his yearly check-ups after his DR. died. He called the office to get an appointment, and they told him it would be a couple months before they could get him in. Once he let them know he had been a patient there some time ago, and was a cancer survivor, they found him an appointment time within a weeks time.

If you call your DR's office, might they write you up a referral without the unnecessary Dr visit?

Is that dermatologist a preferred provider or in your insurance network? If so, I'd sure be reporting the situation to my Ins so maybe they could get the problem taken care of, or drop them and find other providers.

Sue

I find it annoying, too, and I encountered it recently myself--not with a dermatologist, but with a gastro-however-you-spell-it specialist. They almost make it sound as though they're trying to avoid riff-raff coming in off the streets.

I've no idea, but how annoying!! Could your family doc do the skin cancer check instead of bothering with the dermatolgist? I'd almost be willing to find a new guy then jump through those ropes!

Hope everything is clear!

Is it possible to call your family doctor's office, explain the situation and ask them if they would simply call the dermatologist for an appointment. If they suggest you come in for an appointment just be firm and tell them you don't need one at the moment. You don't have anything to lose by making a phone call. But I think a skin cancer check should be performed by a dermatologist.

Are there a lot of dermatology offices in your area? I know where I live there are a few that don't have any available office visits for up to 3 months. Maybe the derm is making patients see their primary doctors first to weed out those who maybe don't really need a dermatologist? Not saying it is right for them to do that.

Thankfully a large dermatolgy clinic opened not too far from me. There are 4 young female dermatologists there and we can usually get an appointment within a couple weeks.

I'd try another dermatologist if I were you.

Thats crazy. I wouldn't jump thru hoops for them. How can the Dr's office make an appt for you when they don't know your schedule? I'd find a new derm. I went to one last year and got an appt easily.

I thought I was being given the run around by my dermatologist. Had been seeing one in the practice for the past 10 years for skin cancer checks. Had three removed during the time he was checking me. He left the practice, how shocked I was that they could not see me, since I was a NEW PATIENT since he had left the practice. Said my regular md would have to send a fax to refer me to them. Then it would take about 3 months for me to get on their schedule. I kissed them goodbye that very day and called another dermatologist in our town and he saw me the very next day when I explained to them that I had three prior cancers removed. The former office that I had used had started hair transplants, and plastic surgery. My money was surely small potatoes to them.

I'm going to check but I don't think there are many derms in the area. They are affiliated with Hershey Med which I would think would not be so centered on cosmetic procedures.

Lisa - that is exactly what I was thinking. How can my doctor make the appointment without knowing my schedule?

Oh well, I also had to schedule an annual with my gyno and I have to get my first mammo and both offered me appts within a week which I thought was quick. There are still some medical practices who know how to do business. Both my boys ped and my gyno run excellent practices.

This would be less of a problem if I had a good family doc but I really need to find a new one.

Oh well, I also had to schedule an annual with my gyno and I have to get my first mammo and both offered me appts within a week which I thought was quick.

Paula, I would think that your gyno doctor's office could assist you in getting an appointment with the dermatologist, and that it wouldn't have to be through your GP. I'd think that in explaining the situation with the derm. and your past skin cancer history, that they could help get you a appointment soon.

I wish you luck in getting this resolved so you can soon have some peace of mind without a lot of hassle.

Sue